Question

The equations of a stationary wave is given by y(x,t)=2sin3.14xcos100*3.14t ,where x and y are measured in meter and t in seconds. Calculate the amplitude, wavelength And frequency of component waves whose superpositions generated this stationary wave.also write the equations of components waves.

Answer 1

y  (x , t ) =  2  Sin 3.14 x    Cos  100 * 3.14 t 
     x and y are in meters  and t is in seconds.

we use the formula in trigonometry  2 Sin A Cos B = Sin (A+B)  + Sin (A-B)

  y (x, t)  =  2  Sin (π x)     Cos (100 π t)
                 =  Sin (πx + 100πt)    +    Sin  (πx - 100 πt)
                 =  Sin (πx + 100πt)    -    Sin  (100πt  -  πx )
                 =  Sin (100 πt + πx)   +  Sin  (100 πt  -  πx + π)

general formula  for a standing wave :  y (x, t) = A Sin (ω t - k x + Ф)

  these are the component waves which are part of the stationary wave.

component wave 1:    y1 (x,t)  =  sin (π  x  +  100 π t)
       angular frequency = ω    = 100 π  radians/sec
      frequency = f  = 50 Hz = ω/2π              Time period: 1/f = 0.02 Sec.
       Amplitude = A = 1 m
       wave number  k =  - π  rad/meter                       we have formula   ω = k v
           velocity  v =  ω / k  = - 100 meters/sec
         wavelength λ =  v / f  =  100/50  meters =  2 meters

  this component of the wave is traveling in the negative x direction. so its velocity is negative.
 
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component wave 2:    y1 (x,t)  =  sin ( 100 π t - π x +  π )
       angular frequency = ω    = 100 π  radians/sec
      frequency = f  = 50 Hz = ω/2π              Time period: 1/f = 0.02 Sec.
       Amplitude = A = 1 m
       wave number  k =  π  rad/meter                       we have formula   ω = k v
           velocity  v =  ω / k  = 100 meters/sec
         wavelength λ =  v / f  =  100/50   meters =  2 meters
   initial phase angle = π radians

 this wave is traveling in the positive x direction.  so  k and v are positive.

But the waves are have a phase difference also.